An ultralight single occupant aircraft piloted by Lucas J. Campbell, 26, of Great Bend crashed at the Great Bend Municipal Airport Tuesday afternoon. Airport manager Martin Miller said the crash, witnessed by several bystanders, was reported at 1:10 p.m.

HOISINGTON - In 1913, when the twentieth century was young, forever changes occurred in the lifestyles of Americans with the use of the horseless carriage. In those days, quality was the norm, and a vehicle manufactured that year, a 1913 Glide 36-42, still starts right up and runs today at the Thorne residence in Hoisington.

The Barton County Commission will not submit a request for a public hearing to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over the two proposed oil wells in the Cheyenne Bottoms area. A motion to ask for the hearing made by Commissioner Jennifer Schartz died for a lack of a second.

ELLINWOOD - "Po-Tree by Toni B: Brightly she stands by the old hotel door, a dowdy old doll in her faded best. Her smile never fades her eyes never dim. For whom does she wait- a knight on a quest: Each morning at nine, her friends bring her there, whatever the weather- rain, sunshine or wind. She stands and she waits, quiet, friend, and hopeful, until in the evening her friend takes her in."

As of Tuesday, June 18, the U.S. Drought monitor showed Barton County still firmly in the Extreme Drought category. However, a tiny sliver on the eastern edge had been pushed back to Severe Drought status. That's before more rain fell in the Great Bend area this week. It's enough to give homeowners hope for drought affected landscapes once more.

Average retail gasoline prices in Kansas have fallen 4.7 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.58 per gallon last Sunday, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 1,329 gas outlets in Kansas. This compares with the national average that has fallen 2.1 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.61 according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.